Bageshwar: Tension surfaced at Pandit Badridutt Pandey Campus on Friday after an argument between student groups during election-related campaigning reportedly escalated into pushing and a physical clash. The incident took place amid increased student organisation activity ahead of the student union elections, although the election notification has not yet been issued.
Prem Danu, a BA fifth-semester student and NSUI worker, was injured in the incident. He sustained a head injury and received stitches while undergoing treatment at the district hospital. Following the clash, a tense situation developed on the campus.
Danu submitted a complaint at the Kotwali, seeking the registration of a named case against six youths. In his complaint, he alleged that some students attacked him in the college premises on September 18 as part of a pre-planned assault.
According to the complaint, the attackers allegedly struck him on the head with a sharp-edged weapon and kicked and punched him in the chest. Danu alleged that he lost consciousness at the spot and was subsequently taken to the district hospital by fellow students.
He also alleged that the same youths had assaulted him near the Aare bypass bridge in 2025, but no action was taken in that case. Danu further told police that he had received threats following the latest incident and felt unsafe, requesting that a case be registered and security be provided.
Protest at Kotwali over demand for action
Following the incident, Congress and NSUI workers accompanied Danu to the Kotwali and staged a protest for around two hours, demanding action against those allegedly involved in the assault. The protesters became agitated after police referred to an ongoing investigation instead of immediately registering the case.
The workers created a commotion at the Kotwali and warned police personnel while performing a symbolic act involving rice. They alleged that a previous complaint regarding an assault on Danu had also not resulted in action. They further warned that rice would be offered at the Kal Bhairav temple if action was not taken.
Danu continued his protest at the Kotwali after the Congress and NSUI workers left. The workers alleged that despite the complaint being submitted, police had not immediately registered a case.
Campus Director Dr Kamal Kishore said students would not be allowed to engage in fights under any circumstances and that action would be taken against the entry of outsiders into the campus.
Police also reached the campus after being informed about the incident and gathered information from both sides. Several political workers, including former MLA Lalit Farswan, former district president Bhagat Daseela, Basant Kumar, Balkrishna, Rajendra Parihar, Ramesh Hardiya and Neeraj Joshi, also reached the Kotwali.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Ajay Sah said the matter was being investigated. He said further action would be taken on the basis of facts emerging during the investigation.
